Classic Hummus with Kalamata Tapenade

To be honest, I've never had much of an appreciation for olives. But while on vacation I tried a delicious traditional hummus with olive tapenade and the combination was amazing! The nutty flavor of the chickpeas mellowed the natural bitterness of the olives so I could finally enjoy the subtle fruity flavor of this widely popular ingredient.

Hummus is easy to make and it's a great go-to snack to have on hand. Made from chickpeas, hummus is a rich source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats to help keep you satisfied between meals. It's also crazy versatile - you can serve this with pretzels, veggies, or flatbread, or use it as a sandwich spread in place of mayo. Kalamata olives are so flavorful that a little goes a long way, and they're a rich source of heart-healthy fats and antioxidants like lutein, polyphenols, and beta carotene. Both the hummus and tapenade can be whipped up in under five minutes with a food processor or blender.  While you can serve these separately, I recommend serving them together because (and I really don't think I'm overstating this) they are magic together, both nutritionally speaking and taste-wise. Enjoy!

Classic Hummus, serves 8
2 cans chickpeas
1/4 cup tahini
2 T olive oil
2 T lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
Mix all ingredients in blender or food processor until smooth.

Kalamata Tapenade, serves 8
1 cup kalamata olives
1 T capers
1/2 T garlic
1 T lemon juice
1 T olive oil
Mix all ingredients together in blender or food processor until olives are fully minced.